Hydrocarbon-burner.



W. 0. SMITH.

HYDROCARBON BURNER.

APPLICATION man MAY 10. Ian.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

INVENTOR. /1. 0 5/77/7/2 WITNESSES:

THE NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTD-LITHQ. WASHING TCIN. n.

W. 0. SMITH.

HYDROCARBON BURNER.

APPLICATION FILED MAYIO. 1911.

Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 11v VENTOR. W 0 SWIM WITNESSES.-

0., PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON, u. c.

' hydro-Carboniferous UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM 0. SMITH, OF DENVER, COLORADO, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS,TO THE NATIONAL OIL-GAS BURNER COMPANY, OF DENVER, COLORADO, A CORPORA-TION OF W SZOMING.

HYDROCARBON-BURNER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 10, 1911. Serial No. 626,248.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, VILLIAM 0. SMITH, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Denver, in thecounty of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Hydrocarbon-Burners, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in oil burners andits principal object resides in the provision of a device of compact andsimple construction which is adapted for the economical and eflectiveconsumption of crude-oil and other liquids in a heating furnace or otheranalogous contrivance, and which in its construction includesadjustments which adapt it for the use of fuels of differentcharacteristics and for the production of heat of different degrees ofintensity.

VVith this end in view, my improved burner comprises, a retort intowhich the hydrocarbon is introduced, and a flash boiler for thegeneration of steam which combined with the hydro-carbon vapor evolvedfrom the fluid in the retort, provides a mixture of hydro-carbon andoXy-hydrogen gases which escape in sheet like form into a combustionchamber located beneath the retort and the boiler.

The heat produced by the consumption of the gaseous fuel is greatlyintensified by the proper distribution of air and steam at differentpoints of the flame and it may be regulated to any desired degree by theadjustment of valves applied to the steamand air-supply conduits andalso by varying the size of the combustion chamber in which the flame isgenerated.

My improved burner is furthermore provided with means which by action ofthe steam generated in the boiler, cause diffusion of the residue of thehydro-carbon through the vaporous mixture which carries it into thecombustion chamber where it is consumed.

Simple means are provided to generate heat at the initial point of theoperation and the arrangement of the parts is such that after the supplyof oil is turned off, the burner may be thoroughly and speedily cleanedby the steam generated in the boiler, without disconnecting orseparating the members included in its construction.

An embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings in the various views of which like parts are similarlydesignated and in which Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of myimproved burner, Fig. 2, a horizontal section taken along the line 2-2Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, a similar section taken along the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, my improved burner consists of acircular base 2 which is mounted upon the upper end of an air-supplypipe 3.

Rigidly secured in spaced relation to the upper surface of the base 2,by means of bolts 5 which extend through distancesleeves 6, is thegenerator 7 which includes a central mixing chamber 8, an annular retort9 which surrounds the chamber and which is connected with thefuel-supply by means of a pipe 10, and an annular flash boiler 18 formedaround the retort and connected with a supply of water by a pipe 12.

Suspended in contact with the lower edge of the gas-chamber, is aspreader 13 which is provided with a central depression or cup 15 toreceive the residue of the oil discharged from the retort through a drippipe let.

The upper surface of the spreader surrounding the cup 15 flaresdownwardly and the lower edge of the chamber 8 is serrated to provide aplurality of adjoining passages through which the gases generated in thechamber escapeinto the combustion space 16 between the base 2 and thelower surface of the generator.

When the device is in operation, the retort and the boiler areconstantly subjected to the heat generated in the combustion space, andthe vapor which in consequence is evolved from the hydro-carboncontained in the retort escapes into the chamber 8 through a pluralityof apertures 17.

A nozzle 48 extending downwardly into the chamber through a centralopening in its top is connected with the flash-boiler 18 by means of thesteam pipe 19, and a needle valve 20 is applied to control the flow ofsteam from the said pipe into the nozzle.

Disposed within a central recess formed in the upper surface of the base2, is a vertically movable head 21 formed with an interior chamber 22which communicates with the upper extremity of a sleeve 23 which isslidably fitted in the upper portion of the air-conduit 3.

A circularly arranged series of apertures 24 formed in the upper surfaceof the head 21, communicate with the interior thereof for the ejectionof air and steam "into the combustion space 16 and a central opening 25in the head connects with a section of pipe 26 which projectingconcentrically within the sleeve 23, carries at its lower end a union27.

An auxiliary air-conduit 28 firmly secured concentrically within thebefore mentioned conduit 3, projects at its upper extremity loosely intothe pipe section 26, thus permitting a vertical adjustment of the head21 with which it is connected.

This adjustment may be readily effected by the movement of a lever 29which is fulcrumed at 30 upon the air conduit 3 and which at one of itsends projects through a vertical slot in the same conduit to connectwith the sleeve 23 on the head 21, while its opposite extremity carriesan adjusting screw 31 which bears upon the exterior surface of theconduit 3.

A hollow cone-valve 32 is slidably mounted upon-the outer extremity ofthe auxiliary conduit 28, to regulate the influx of air into the mouthof the larger conduit 3 and the interior of the valve 32 communicateswith the interior of the conduit 28 by means of apertures 33 and withthe surrounding atmosphere by means of radial openings 34, the inflowthrough which is regulated by adjustment of a shutter or disk valve 35.V

The extremity of the conduit 28 projecting within the interior of thecone-valve 32, connects with a branch pipe 36 which by means of a pipe38 is connected with'the steam pipe 19 through which steam generated inthe boiler 18 is discharged therefrom, and a needle valve 37 which isapplied to be seated in an apertured plug 39 inserted in the end of thepipe 36, is provided to control the flow of steam into the conduit 28. Anozzle 40 extending within the annular space between the conduits 3 and28 is connected with the pipe 38 for the introduction of steam into theconduit 3.

The head 21 has in its upper surface two concentric annular grooves 41and 42 which are disposed between the central outlet 25 and the circularseries of apertures 24 for the reception of wicks composed of asbestosor other suitable material which are provided to generate heat at theinitial point in the operation of the deviceas well as for theconsumption of the residue of the oil which drips thereonto over theperipheraledge of the spreader 13. Having thus described the mechanicalcon struction of my improved burner, its operation will be readilyunderstood. After the retort and the flash boiler have been propit isconsumed erly connected with the supplies of oi'land vapor which escapesthrough apertures 17 i into the central mixing chamber 8, and the waterwhich is introduced in small quantities into the annular boiler 18 isinstantly changed to steam which -is forcibly ejected into thevapor-chamber through the nozzle The hydrocarbon'gases combining withthe oxygen of the steam forms a highly inflammable mixture which escapesfromrthe chamber along the upper surface of the spreader 13, through thepassages inthe lower edge of the chamber, into the combustion space-16where it is ignited to form a sheet-like flame. The heat produced by thecombustion of the gases in the space 16, is greatly intensified by theintroduction of air and steam at different points of the flame throughthe central opening 25 and the circular series of apertures 24 in thehead 21, the proportionate quantities of the air and steam being readilyvaried by the adjustment of the different valves hereinbefore described.The residue of the oil which remains in the bottom portion of the retortafter the vapors have been evolved from the oil, is discharged into thecentral concavity of the spreader 13 through the drip-pipe 14, to bescattered through the vapor contained in the chamber by the impingementof the through the nozzle 48.

jet of steam ejected' The vapor carries the greater portion of theresidue into the combustion space where and the upper surface of thespreader drips over the peripheral edge thereof into the flame or uponthe wicks 41 and 42. V

The upper surface of the spreader 13 may, if necessary, be provided withradial grooves 13 such as ings, to guide the residue toward the notchesin the'lower edge of the chamber 8.

The size and intensity of the flame may be varied to any required degreeby adjustment of the vertically movable head 21 which determines thesize of the combustion space and the heat produced by the burner mayfurthermore be regulated by the adjustment of the various valves whichcontrol the supply of air and steam. 7

It will be understood that by these means the burner may be, readilyadapted for the consumption of hydrocarbons of different characters,that by the intermixture. of steam and air all the oxygen required inthe 7 perfect combustion of the vapor, may be introduced into the flamewith easily regulated force, that by'this reason, the forma that whichfalls upon are shown in Fig. 2 of-the drawtion of smoke is substantiallyeliminated and that after the supply of oil has been discontinued theburner-parts may be thoroughly and speedily cleaned by the steam emittedthrough the various passages of the generator and the adjustable head.

Having thus described my invention what I claim and desire to secure byLetters-Patent is 1. In a hydrocarbon burner, a base and in superposed,spaced relation thereto a central mixing chamber having passages for theintroduction of vapor into said space, an annular retort incommunication with said chamber, an annular boiler, and a nozzle for theintroduction of steam into said chamber, in communication with saidboiler.

2. In a hydrocarbon burner, a base and in superposed, spaced relationthereto a mixing chamber an element providing at the lower portion ofsaid chamber a central concavity, and a passage for the discharge ofvapor into the said space, a retort communicating at its upper portionwith the said chamber, means for discharging the residue from the lowerportion of said retort into the said concavity, a boiler, and a nozzledirected into the said chamber for the ejection of steam onto the saidconcavity, in communication with the said boiler.

3. In a hydrocarbon burner, a base and in superposed spaced relationthereto a mixing chamber having in its lower portion downwardly directedpassages for the of vapor into the said space, a retort com municatingwith the said chamber, a boiler, and a nozzle for the introduction ofsteam into the said chamber, in communication with the said boiler.

4. In a hydrocarbon burner, a base, and in superposed, spaced relationthereto a central mixing chamber, having notches in its lower edge, aspreader having an outwardly sloping surface in engagement with saidedge, a retort in communication with the said chamber, a boiler, and anozzle for the introduction of steam into the chamber, in communicationwith the said boiler.

5. In a hydrocarbon burner, a base, and in superposed, spaced relationthereto a central mixing chamber having notches in its lower edge, aspreader having an outwardly sloping surface in engagement with saidedge, a retort in communication with the said chamber, a pipe for thedischarge of residue from the said retort onto the said spreader, aboiler, and a nozzle for the ejection of steam onto the said spreader,in communicat-ion with the said boiler.

6. In a hydrocarbon burner, a mixing chamber, a head spaced from thelower surface thereof and having an opening for the introduction ofoxygen into the said space, a conduit for the conveyance of air to thesaid opening, the said chamberhaving a discharge passage for theintroduction of fuel into the said space, a boiler, and a connectionbetween the boiler and the said conduit for the introduction of steaminto the latter.

7. In a hydrocarbon burner, a generator,

a head spaced from the lower surface thereof and having a centralopening and an internal chamber communicating with its upper surface bya series of narrow passages, and means to convey oxygen separately tothe said opening and into the said chamber, the said generator having apassage for the introduction of vapor into the said space.

8. In a hydrocarbon burner, a generator, a head spaced from the lowersurface thereof and having a central opening and an internal chambercommunicating with its upper surface by a series of narrow passages,conduits to convey air separately to the said opening and into the saidchamber, and connections for the introduction of steam into the saidconduits, the said generator having a passage for the introduction ofvapor into the said space.

9. In a hydrocarbon burner, an air supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof, a generator fixed in spaced relation to the uppersurface of said base, a head having openings for the introduction of airinto the said space, in communication with said conduit and means foradjusting the distance between the said head and the said generator, thelatter having a passage for the introduction of vapor into the saidspace.

10. In a hydrocarbon burner, an air supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof, a generator fixed in spaced relation to the uppersurface of said base, a head having openings for the introduction of airinto the said space, in communication with said conduit, and a leveradjustably mounted on said conduit, in connection with said head to varythe distance between the latter and the generator, the said generatorhaving a passage for the introduction of vapor into the said space.

11. In a hydrocarbon burner, an air supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof, a generator fixed in spaced re lation to theupper surface of said base, a head having a central opening and aninternal chamber communicating with its upper surface by a series ofnarrow passages, a second conduit fixed within the first mentionedconduit, a conduit providing a connection between the inner conduit andthe said central opening, and means for varying the distance between thesaid head and the generator, the latter having a passage for theintroduction of vapor into the said space.

12. In a hydrocarbon burner, an air supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof, a generator fixed in spaced relation to the uppersurface of said base, a head having a central opening, and an internalchamber communicating with its upper surface by a series of narrow.passages, a second conduit fixed within the first mentioned conduit, aconduit'providing a connection between the inner conduit and the saidcentral opening, and connections for the introduction of steam intothesaid conduits, the said generator having a passage for theintroduction of vapor into the said space. I v

' 13. Ina hydrocarbon burner, an air-supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof,--a generator fixed in spaced relation to theupper surface of said base, ahead having a central opening, and aninternal chamber communicating with its upper surface by a series ofnarrow passages, a second conduit fixed within the first mentionedconduit, a conduit providing a connection between the inner conduit andthe said central opening, and means for regulating the flowv of air intothe said conduits, the said generator having apassage for theintroduction of vapor into the said space. I

14. In a hydrocarbon burner, an air supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof, a generator fixed in spaced relation to the uppersurface of said base, a head having a central opening and an internalchamber communicating with its upper surface by a series of narrowpassages, a second'conduitfixed within the first mentioned conduit, aconduit providing a connection between the inner conduit and the saidcentral opening, a hollow valve slidably seated on the inner conduit incommunication with the interior thereof and adapted to regulate the flowof air into the outer conduit, and means on thesaid valve for regulatingthe fiow of air into its interior, ator having a passage for theintroduction of vapor into the said space.

15. In a hydrocarbon burner, an air supply conduit, a base secured uponthe upper end thereof, a generator fixed in spaced relation to the uppersurface of said base, a head having a central opening, and an internalchamber communicating surface by a series of narrow passages, a secondconduit fixed within the first mentioned conduit, a conduit providing aconnection between the inner conduit and the said central opening,valve-controlled connections for the introduction of steam into the saidconduits, and valves to control the flow of air into said conduits, thesaid generator having a passage for the introduction of vapor into thesaid space.

16. In a hydrocarbon burner, a base, and in superposed spaced relationthereto a central mixing chamber having passages in its wall incommunication with the said space and a bottom surface slopingdownwardly toward said passages, and an annular retort incommunicationwith said chamber.

the said generwith its upper 18. In a hydro-carbon burner, a mixingchamber and a base spaced from each other to provide a combustion space,said mixing chamber having a circular series of outlets for vapor intosaid space, and said base having an outlet for the introduction of airwithin the inner confines of the annular flame produced when the vaporescaping through the saidvapor outlet, is ignited.

19. In a hydro-carbon burner, a mixing chamber having in its bottomsurface an outlet for combustible vapor and a concavity, and a nozzlefor the ejection of steam onto said concavity.

20. In a hydrocarbon burner, a mixing chamber havingin its bottomsurface an outlet for combustible vapor, a head whose upper surfaceextends in proximity to said bottom-surface whereby to provide acomparatively-narrow combustion chamber, and means on said head for theintroduction of steam into the said last named chamber.

21. In a hydro-carbon burner, a mixing chamber and a head the bottomsurface and upper surface of which, respectively are circular, andsubstantially parallel and extend in proximity to "each other to providea comparatively and means for varying the distance between the saidsurfaces, having an outlet for the introduction of combustible vaporinto said combustion chamber. V

22. In a hydro-carbon burner, a mixing chamber having an outlet forcombustible vapor and a bottom surface which is adapt ed to retain theresidue of oil fed into said chamber, and a nozzle for the ejection ofsteam onto the said surface to diffuse said residue through the mixturecontained in said chamber.

23. In a hydro-carbonburner, a combustion chamber, a mixing chamberhaving an outlet for the discharge of vapor into the said combustionchamber, means for the supply of hydrocarbon vapor and unvaporized i smixing chamber to atomize the residue,

and to mix with the hydrocarbon vapor,

narrow combustion chamber, 7.

the said mixing chamber and means to forcibly. introduce oxygen 7 vintothe-mixture discharged from the mix ing chamber after it has entered thecombustion chamber and before it has reached the portion of the latterat which ignition takes place. 7 V 24. In a hydro-ca'rbon burner, acombustion chamber, a mixing chamber having an outlet for the dischargeof vapor into the said combustion chamber, means for the supply ofhydrocarbon vapor and unvaporized residue to the mixing chamber, meansfor the separate introduction of steam into the mixing chamber toatomize the residue, and to mix with the hydrocarbon vapor, and means toforcibly introduce oxygen in selected variable quantities into themixture discharged from the mixing chamber, after it has entered thecombustion chamber and before it has reached the portion of the latterat which ignition takes place.

25. In a hydrocarbon burner, a combustion chamber, a mixing chamberhaving an outlet for the discharge of vapor into the said combustionchamber, means for supplying hydrocarbon-vapors and unvaporize residueinto the mixing chamber, and means for directing steam onto the residuein the mixing chamber, whereby to atomize the same and cause itsdischarge from said chamber together with the combustible mixture formedtherein.

26. In a hydrocarbon burner, a combustion chamber, a mixing chamberhaving an outlet for the discharge of vapors into the said combustionchamber, means for supplying hydrocarbon vapors and unvaporized residueinto the mixing chamber, means for directing steam onto the residue inthe mixing chamber, whereby to atomize the same and cause its dischargefrom the said chamber, with the combustible mixture formed therein, andmeans for supplying oxygen to the said combusti le mixture and residueafter they have been discharged into the combustion chamber.

In testimony whereof I have aflixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

WILLIAM 0. SMITH.

Witnesses L. RHoAnEs, G. I. RoLLANDnT.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Eatents,

Washington, D. 0.

